Greetings from Father John!

With Monsignor on vacation, I’m providing the update this week and Fr. Cassidy will next week. First, a big thank you to everyone for their support of Fr. Joe on his 40^th anniversary celebration! It was a joyful celebration even with the restrictions and he was visibly moved by the outpouring of love and support. We can give ourselves a pat on the back for the more than 17k dollars donated to the House of Mercy in his honor. Praise God! It blew Fr. Joe away!

An important reminder: please register for weekend Masses and arrive early. Arriving without registering or arriving at the last minute or after Mass has begun puts additional stress on our volunteers. Please be considerate of your fellow parishioners who are giving their time to serve you by registering and arriving early. Finally, remember that face coverings are required for all those age 10 and above and for anyone receiving Holy Communion.

As was said last week, Father Pascal Kumanda of Cross Catholic Outreach will be celebrating all the Masses this weekend. He will be advocating for and asking your support of Cross Catholic’s great service to the poor in developing countries. Please welcome and support him!

A few updates:

·        Faith Formation: Our amazing staff is working now on our parish’s plan for faith formation. We hope to provide a hybrid of in-person and virtual options. More info will be provided soon!

·        Alpha: Do you know someone who is “unchurched” or may have the wrong ideas about Christianity? Alpha is an open, inviting, and non-judgmental space to explore life’s most basic questions and God’s response in Christ.  Saint Bede will again offer Alpha this Fall – details of dates, times, and format forthcoming!

·        RCIA: if you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic, RCIA is open and currently meeting both in-person and virtually. This is the Catholic Church’s process for becoming Catholic as an adult. Contact Michelle Tomshack for information.

PRAY! Please keep your fellow parishioners in prayer. Many are struggling these days with sickness, financial hardship, loss, or loneliness. Reach out to those you know who may be isolated, and continue to pray for our nation -- for an end to racism here and everywhere, and for growth in our respect and goodwill toward one another. 

INVITE! Please spread the word to your friends, neighbors, coworkers and all that we are open again in-person and online. Take a chance and spread your Catholic faith with someone you know!

THANK YOU!  We cannot thank you enough for your continued financial support of our Saint Bede. Your financial support has allowed our clergy, staff, and volunteers to address our parish’s needs in new and creative ways during these strange times. We have also been able to maintain our expansive facilities while at the same time we look forward to how Saint Bede can best spread the good news of Jesus Christ and help serve the materially and spiritually poor of our local community. Our parish financial report will be sent out in September or October.

Until next time, may God bless you with his peace.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Father John 

To register for this weekend's Mass, click here.